Eyedrop dispenser

ABSTRACT

A container having a nozzle for dispensing eyedrops is provided with means defining an annular surface surrounding the nozzle and extending at least such distance that an extremity of said surface is approximately coplanar with the free end of the nozzle in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the nozzle. An annular space is left between the means defining the annular surface and the nozzle. In this manner, the container is provided with an appearance which is that of a blunt object from the perspective of a user during use of the container to dispense the eyedrops, while the provision of an annular space prevents interference with the drop dispensing function of the nozzle and may also permit use of a standard cap over the nozzle.

Muted @tates Patent 11 1 11 1 Casey 1 Mar. 25, I975 EYEDROIP DISPENSER Primary Examinerstanley H. Tollberg 15 R l [76] Inventor g gg g gg 5 3 5 e aer Assistant ExaminerNorman L. Stack, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Nolte and Nolte [22] Filed: June 16, 1972 [21] Appl. No: 263,501 57 ABSTRACT A container having a nozzle for dispensing eyedrops is [52] LLS. Cl. 128/233, 222/420 provided with means defining an annular surface Sup [51] 111E. CI. A61t9/00 rounding the nozzle and extending at least Such [58] Field of SQBICh ...222/420, 562, 206-215, tance that an extremity of said surface is pp 222/42l 128/233 231,230 mately coplanar with the free end of the nozzle in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the nozzle. An an- [56] Referemes {Med nular space is left between the means defining the an- UNITE STATES PATENTS nular surface and the nozzle. In this manner, the con- 2,577,321 12/1951 Filger 222/206 X tainer is provided with an appearance which is that of 3,058,466 10/1962 Routsong. 128/233 a blunt object from the perspective of a user during 3,189,282 965 orsette 222/206 X use of the container to dispense the eyedrops, while MII'IgS the provision of an annular pace prevents interfe g ggsgg ence with the drop dispensing function of the nozzle 3:59B:12l 8/1971 Lelicorriij1:111:11: .11: 128/233 222 2 also perm" use of a standard cap Over the FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [68,625 9/1959 2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures Sweden 222/21 1 EYEDROP DISPENSER This invention relates to means for containing a liquid composition intended for application to the eyes and for dispensing the liquid dropwise.

Eyedrop receptacles or container dispensers containing liquid compositions for dropwise application to the tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride in an aqueous medium a in a concentration of 0.05 percent. A nozzle for dropwise dispensing of the liquid projects from the main body of the receptacle.

Normal psychology makes it difficult for many persons effectively to use the conventional eyedrop dispensing containers. The dispensing ends of the conventional dispenser containers for eyedrops, while not actually dangerous, have a relatively sharply pointed appearance. .Specifically, these dispensing ends are so shaped and dimensioned asto permit inadvertent free insertion between the eyelashes and eyelids into contact with the eye when the eye is in a normally open condition. The user is aware of this and becomes fearful of accidentally jabbing himself in the eye with the dispensing end of the container while using the container to dispense the liquid into his eye dropwise as intended. Such person tends, therefore, to hold the dispensing end of the container too far from his eye or to blink very frequently and cause the drops to miss the eye. In any'event, the person suffers a certain amount of tension over the procedure.

In the present invention, this problem is overcome by, in effect, providing a bumper around the nozzle. In more precise terms, there is provided means defining an annular space surrounding. the nozzle and extending at least such distance that an extremity of the cylindrical of surface of said annular space is approximately coplanar with the free end of the nozzle in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the nozzle. An annular space is left between the means defining the annular surface and the nozzle. The outer surface of the bumper extending from the extremity of the annular surface diverges away from the eye of the user when the receptacle is in the inverted position. In this manner, there is provided an appearance of the receptacle to a user during use of the receptacle to dispense the liquid dropwise into an eye of the user which appearance is that of a blunt object and, thereby, the nozzle does not appear to threaten injury to the eye; and should the user accidentally bring the container into contact with the eye, the eye will be protected by the bumper from contact with the nozzle. At the same time, by leaving an annular space at least about the free end of the nozzle, the drop-dispensing function of the nozzle is not interfered with.

Generally, the nozzle is connected to the main body of the receptacle by means of a hollow neck. The hollow neck has a screw thread on its external surface. For sealing the container when not in use, there is provided a cap having an internal thread which mates with the external thread of the neck. The aforementioned annu lar space extends to the base of the neck and the cap screws down onto the neck and fits in the annular space. Such a construction may be particularly commerically feasible since, in substance, it amounts to the fitting of a standard eyedrop container with a bumper according to the invention.

The invention will now be further described by reference to a specific embodiment as illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded front elevation of an eyedrop container according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, in assembled form, of the same eyedrop container.

The entire construction herein illustrated is of plastic, which is preferred because it. permits economical fabrication, provides unbreakabi'lity in use, and the container may be made squeezable to assist in the drop dispensing. However, in principle any other conventional container fabricating material, such as glass or metal, may be employed. The eyedrop container has a main hollow body 10 provided with an integral hollow neck 11 having a screw thread 12 on its external surface. A nozzle 13 for the dropwise dispensing of the liquid is received in the hollow neck 11 by means of a press fit. A bumper 14 is press fit onto the body 10 of the container. A marginal portion of the bumper 14 contiguous with the lower edge 15 thereof may be heatsealed or otherwise adhered to the body 10 of the container. A circular opening 16 is provided through the bumper 14 concentric with the neck 11 and nozzle 13. Since the diameter of the opening 16 is greater than the diameter of the neck 11, an annular space 17 is provided. This permits accommodation of cap 18 which is provided with an internal thread (not illustrated) which mates with the external thread 12 on the neck 11. Thus, the cap 18 screws down onto the neck 11, sealing the container. It will be noticed that the bumper 16 extends to approximate coplanarity with the free end of the nozzle 13 in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the nozzle 13. Hence, when the cap 18 is removed in order to dispense drops into the eye, the nozzle 13 is no longer presented as a dangerous projection since it is surrounded by large annular surface 19 defined by the bumper 14. It will be appreciated that the bumper 14 need not be a separate element but may be defined by the configuration of the container body itself.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is to be appreciated that the appended claims are intended to encompass all embodiments within the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A receptacle for containing and dispensing dropwise a liquid composition for application to the eye of the user, comprising a hollow body for containing the liquid, means extending from and communicating directly with the uppermost portion. of said hollow body for dispensing the liquid drop-wise from the container in the inverted position thereof, and bumper means defining inner cylindrical surface means surrounding said dispensing means and extending at least such distance that an extremity of said surrounding means is approximately coplanar with the outer end of said dispensing means in a plane perpendicular to the axis thereof, the upper portion of said bumper means being rounded in elevational cross-section and further defining an outer dome-shaped surface extending from the outer end of said dispensing means and diverging away from the eye of the user when said receptacle is in the inverted position with said dispensing means above the eye of the a user, said bumper means being dimensioned for preventing insertion thereof past the outermost portions of the users eyelids so as to constitute said bumper means of said bumper means being rounded in elevational cross section a hollow neck joining said dispensing means to the hollow body, a screw thread on the external surface of the neck and a cap having an internal screw thread to mate with the thread on the neck, the cap being dimensioned to fit in the annular space and being screwed down onto the neck. 

1. A receptacle for containing and dispensing drop-wise a liquid composition for application to the eye of the user, comprising a hollow body for containing the liquid, means extending from and communicating directly with the uppermost portion of said hollow body for dispensing the liquid drop-wise from the container in the inverted position thereof, and bumper means defining inner cylindrical surface means surrounding said dispensing means and extending at least such distance that an extremity of said surrounding means is approximately coplanar with the outer end of said dispensing means in a plane perpendicular to the axis thereof, the upper portion of said bumper means being rounded in elevational cross-section and further defining an outer domeshaped surface extending from the outer end of said dispensing means and diverging away from the eye of the uSer when said receptacle is in the inverted position with said dispensing means above the eye of the user, said bumper means being dimensioned for preventing insertion thereof past the outermost portions of the users eyelids so as to constitute said bumper means during use of the receptacle to dispense the liquid composition dropwise into an eye of the user as a blunt object before the eye of the user and as means for preventing contact between the eye of the user and said dispensing means.
 2. A receptacle according to claim 1, further comprising said bumper means defining an annular space surrounding said dispensing means, the upper portion of said bumper means being rounded in elevational cross section a hollow neck joining said dispensing means to the hollow body, a screw thread on the external surface of the neck and a cap having an internal screw thread to mate with the thread on the neck, the cap being dimensioned to fit in the annular space and being screwed down onto the neck. 